[b]:September 2007:[b]
September 1st:
Brian Houlihan is awarded second place in Manager of the Month competition for August
John Carew’s goal against Tottenham comes second in the goal of the month competition
The draw for the League Cup 3rd round sees Villa travelling Goodison Park to face Everton on the 26th September
September 2nd:
Ashley Young is rewarded for his fine form by being called up for international duty for England’s matches against Israel and Russia, he could win his first cap for his country.
Man City vs Aston Villa (League Game #5) Changes: Changes from the last league match are. Guilherme starts at left back while Davies is on the bench. Agbonlahor replaces Harewood up front. Sorensen, Petrov, Cahill, Davies and Moore are on the bench while Harewood, Laursen and Bouma (not match fit) are not picked. Maloney is still injured
Manchester City start the better of the two teams and in the 1st minute former Villa player Darius Vassell hits the upright. City are 1-0 in the 3rd minute after Michael Johnson receives a superb ball from Elano and he beats the keeper with a low drive. Manchester City are 2-0 up by the 9th minute after Knight brought down Bianchi in the box and rightly so the penalty was given. Bianchi stepped up and sent Carson the wrong way. Villa are now under pressure but some of that pressure is relieved when a Coloccini long ball is headed down by Carew to Barry who’s first time shot hits the back of the net in the 13th minute, 2-1. Man City have a two goal advantage once again when in the 18th minute a Michael Johnson pass causes the defence all sorts of trouble and Vassell is able to slot the ball home, 3-1. Elano almost makes it 4-1 in the 23rd minute but Carson manages to stop the powerful shot. In the 32nd minute following some good play by van der Vaart, Carew is one on one with the keeper but his shot is sent well over the bar.
3-1 to Manchester City at half-time
Cahill replaces Knight and Moore replaces Agbonlahor for the second half. The match is seemingly done and dusted when in the 47th minute Bianchi is the first to the rebound following Carson’s save from a Vassell shot and he scores easily, 4-1. Villa go in search of a goal or two to save face and van der Vaart in the 49th minute and Carew in the 51st minute both go close to scoring but are denied by good goalkeeping. Villa begin to have more of the possession and once again go close when in the 57th minute an Ashley Young free-kick is just inches wide. Petrov replaces Reo-Coker in the 61st minute. In the 63rd minute Luke Moore has the ball in the back of the net for Villa but the goal is disallowed due to a correct offside decision. Villa finally find the back of the net in the 67th minute when Moore uses his pace to beat two defenders and his cross is calmly slotted home by John Carew, 4-2. Straight from the kick off Villa retain the ball quickly and a good move sees Luke Moore pass to Petrov who beats one and then he passes to van der Vaart and his long shot deflects of Richard Dunne and with the keeper well out of position it finds the back of the net, two goals in two minutes, 4-3. Bianchi almost gets another goal for Man City but Carson saves his shot in the 71st minute. Villa press for an equalizer and van der Vaart goes close with a header in the 79th minute and a Petrov shot in the 83rd minute also causes the keeper some trouble but Man City hold out for the win
4-3 to Manchester City at full-time
Yellow Cards: Barry
Red Cards: None
Goals: Barry, Carew and van der Vaart
Match Information:
Guilherme made his league debut for Aston Villa
Agbonlahor made his 50th league appearance for Villa
To see the league table after 5 matches please visit http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cdfed1b3dc.jpg September 8th:
New signing Michael Woods suffers a torn calf muscle in an Under 18's match that will rule him out for between three and four months
Ashley Young came on as a substitute for England in their match against Israel and he managed to bag a goal on his international debut
John Carew sustained a fractured wrist while on international duty for Norway, he will be out for between one and two months
Once again Craig Gardner requests a transfer but it is rejected
September 14th:
Unhappy player Craig Gardner joins Charlton on a three month loan. Its hoped the player will stay at Villa and this short loan is a chance for him to get some first team experience.
September 15th:
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (League Game #6)
Changes: Carew is out so Moore comes back into the first eleven. Harewood is on the bench. Bouma (not match fit) and Laursen not picked. Maloney still injured
In the 2nd minute Pandev is one on one with the keeper but he blasts his shot over the bar. In the 7th minute John Terry has a header that goes close but Carson saves well. In the 16th minute Drogba nearly makes it 1-0 but his curling shot is just wide. Chelsea take the lead in the 19th minute, Pandev scores with a curling shot from just outside the box, 1-0. Villa reply almost straight away in the 21st minute Luke Moore makes a great run through the centre of the midfield and his pinpoint pass falls to Reo-Coker who shoots and scores his first goal for Aston Villa, 1-1. Harewood replaces Moore in the 24th minute as Moore had picked up a knock. A great move in the 38th minute sees Villa take the lead, a Reo-Coker cross was headed down by Barry and his pass fell to the feet of van der Vaart who’s shot found the back of the net, 2-1. Villa nearly made it 3-1 in the 44th minute when Ashley Young’s corner was met by the head of Guilherme and the ball found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed as Guilherme had tackled John Terry in the air
2-1 to Aston Villa at half-time
In the 47th minute midfielder Malouda goes close with a shot but the ball just goes wide. In the 54th minute a good cross from Joe Cole is met by the head of Drogba but his header goes wide. In the 67th minute Joe Cole had a shot that had beaten Carson but Mellberg was able to clear the ball of the line. In the 70th minute Petrov replaced van der Vaart. In the 75th minute substitute Harewood almost made it 3-1 but his shot hit the upright and went over. In the 89th minute Drogba almost got an equalizer for Chelsea but his shot was denied by the post. In the 90th minute Cahill replaced Reo Coker.
2-1 to Aston Villa at full-time
Yellow Cards: Guilherme
Red Cards: None
Goals: Reo-Coker and van der Vaart
Attendance: 42,536
September 19th:
Shaun Maloney resumes full training
September 22nd:
Aston Villa vs West Ham (League Game #7)
Changes: Bouma replaces Cahill on the substitutes bench. Laursen not picked, Maloney (not match fit) not picked and Carew is out injured
In the 1st minute van der Vaart rattles the crossbar with a shot after he latched onto a Guilherme cross. West Ham took the lead in the 6th minute as Ljunberg crossed a low ball into the box and Dyer was on the end of it with a volley, 1-0. Van der Vaart almost made it 1-1 in the 14th minute but his free-kick was just wide, Agbonlahor also went close with a shot in the 18th minute. Agbonlahor found the back of the net in the 21st minute after he latched onto an Ashley Young cross with a header, 1-1. Villa were 2-1 up ten minutes later when Luke Moore headed the ball into the net following a great cross following good footwork by Gareth Barry. In the 35th minute Solano had a free-kick that went close but a good save from Carson denied him. Dyer thought he had made it 2-2 in the 43rd minute when he rounded the keeper and took a shot but young defender Guilherme managed to get to the ball before it crossed the line
2-1 to Aston Villa at half-time
The second half wasn’t as action packed as the first half, the first real chance of the half came when a van der Vaart shot went just wide in the 51st minute. In the 66th miunute Dyer almost scored but his shot found the side netting. In the 70th minute the returning Bouma replaced Guilherme and Harewood replaced Agbonlahor. In the 76th minute Petrov replaced van der Vaart. Ljunberg went close in the 80th minute but his header hit the upright and was cleared by Barry. The last chance of the game fell to Harewood in the 84th minute but a good save denied the substitute a goal
2-1 to Aston Villa at full-time
Yellow Cards: Petrov
Red Cards: None
Goals: van der Vaart and Moore
Attendance: 42,572
September 26th:
Everton vs Aston Villa (League Cup 3rd Round)
Changes: None
The first chance of the game was for Everton in the 4th minute Victor Anichebe had a shot but Carson saved well. In the 13th minute James McFadden struck a wonderful shot from 25 yards out but it hit the post and went wide. In the 19th minute Moore played a good one-two with van der Vaart at the edge of the penalty box and Moore’s shot found the back of the net, 1-0. In the 22nd minute a corner was met by the head of Phil Neville but the Everton player headed wide. Everton drew level in the 27th minute when McFadden head a cross into the path of Anichebe and his shot beat the keeper, 1-1. In the 42nd minute Luke Moore went close but his shot was held well by Tim Howard.
1-1 at half-time
Davies replaced Coloccini for the second half, Coloccini had picked up a knock in the first half. In the 52nd minute Baines went close for Everton but his shot was just wide. In the 57th minute Yobo headed the ball following a corner-kick but the ball sailed just inches wide. In the 59th minute Ashley Young had a free-kick that was well held by Tim Howard. In the 66th minute van der Vaart should have scored when he was one on one with the keeper but his shot sailed over the bar. In the 71st minute Barry struck a sweet curling shot that beat the keeper but the ball was a coat of paint away from going in but it rebounded off the post. In the 74th minute Petrov replaced Reo-Coker. In the 80th minute Yobo again went close with a header from a corner-kick but the ball was stopped from going over the line by Mellberg. In the 87th minute Young crossed the ball into the box and it was cleared from the box and it landed at the feet of Agbonlahor and his shot rattled the upright.
1-1 at full-time
In the 99th minute Luke Moore should have scored but his shot sailed wide. In the 105th minute just before half-time in extra-time Everton took the lead, the goal was scored by Jose Baxter with a curling shot from outside the box
2-1 to Everton at half-time in extra-time
van der Vaart was replaced by Harewood for the second half in extra time, Villa went to a 4-4-3 formation in the search of goals. The second half of extra-time was a quiet affair, both teams were obviously tired at this point the only real chance of the half fell to Harewood but his shot blazed over the bar
2-1 to Everton at full-time
Yellow Cards: van der Vaart
Red Cards: None
Goals: Moore
September 29th:
Liverpool vs Aston Villa (League Game #8)
Changes: Carson is out as he is ineligible for this match so Sorensen starts in goal. Maloney is on the bench for the match. Laursen and Cahill are not picked while Carew is still injured.
In the 3rd minute van der Vaart really should of scored when he had a shot from a few yards out but it went shockingly wide. In the 8th minute van der Vaart hit a free-kick but it hit the wall and the ball came back to him he took a shot at goal and the ball hit the post and went wide. In the 16th minute of the match Crouch found himself one on one with the keeper but Sorensen was able to save the big mans shot. In the 23rd minute a Peter Crouch header from a corner was just wide. In the 29th minute Young sent in a superb corner-kick which was met by the head of Gareth Barry but his header was saved easily. In the 37th minute Peter Crouch had another chance to score but he scooped his shot well over the bar
0-0 at half-time
In the 52nd minute van der Vaart was put through by a pass by Barry but he should have done better with his shot which went harmlessly wide. In the 62nd minute Mellberg was sent off for a second yellow card the booking was questionable to say the least. In the 63rd minute Davies replaced Agbonlahor and Villa went to a 4-4-1 formation. In the 71st minute Barry struck a sweet shot from outside the box but his shot was just over the crossbar. In the 73rd minute the returning Maloney replaced Luke Moore. In the 82nd minute Kuyt went close but his shot was saved in style by Sorensen. In the 89th minute Petrov came on for Reo-Coker
0-0 at full-time
Yellow Cards: Mellberg (2)
Red Cards: Mellberg
Goals: None
September 30th:
Olof Mellberg is fined two weeks wages for his red card against Liverpool and he accepts his punishment
September Notes:
Aston Villa won two, drew one and lost one in the league in September
Aston Villa were knocked out of the League Cup in the 3rd round
Ashley Young made his international debut and he also managed to score a goal
Shaun Maloney recovered from the injury he sustained on the opening day of the season
The club recorded a loss of 164K during September
Brian Houlihan’s opinion on September:
The defeat in the League cup was upsetting as it was a competition I had hoped to win for the club
The win against Chelsea and the draw with Liverpool were good results as Villa had been expected to lose both
:OCTOBER 2007: October 2nd:
Gary Cahill twisted a knee in training and will be out for between 2 weeks and 3 weeks
October 7th: Aston Villa vs Bolton (League Game #9)
Changes: Mellberg is suspended so he is replaced by Davies. Sorensen remains in goal following his performance against Liverpool so Carson is recalled but only to the bench. Laursen not picked. Cahill and Carew injured
In the 3rd minute Diouf beat two men and he shot at goal and his shot beat the keeper, 1-0. In the 16th minute Ricardo Gardner shot at goal but his shot went well over the bar. Anelka made it 2-0 in the 21st minute when he got into the penalty box and slotted home. Anelka made it 3-0 in the 40th minute when his free-kick beat the keeper. Villa were totally out classed in the first half and they never created any clear cut chances for themselves
3-0 to Bolton at half-time
Carson replaced Sorensen for the second half. In the 56th minute Gareth Barry went close but his shot curled just wide. In the 63rd minute Moore beat two men but his shot sailed over the bar. In the 67th minute Agbonlahor was replaced by Harewood and Luke Moore was replaced by Maloney. In the 70th minute Barry played a long ball and on the counter attack Maloney found himself one on one with the goalkeeper, Maloney then chipped the keeper, 3-1. In the 74th minute Bolton made it 4-1 after a great shot from Diouf sailed past Carson. in the 87th minute Maloney went close but his shot was saved by Ian Walker. In the 91st minute Dainel Braaten added to Villa's misery when his long shot hit the back of the net
5-1 to Bolton at full-time Yellow Cards: Knight, Guilherme, Coloccini, Young, Reo-Coker, van der Vaart
Red Cards: None
Goals: Maloney
Attendance: 42,556
October 16th:
Marlon Harewood will be out for between 2 weeks and 3 weeks as he is suffering from a virus, he was sent home to recover
October 20th:
Cahill resumes full training following his injury
October 21st:
John Carew has returned to full training following his injury
October 24th:
Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa (League Game #10)
Changes: Carson returns to the first 11. Sorensen returns to the bench. Mellberg comes into the starting 11 as Cahill is dropped, Carew is on the bench following his return from injury. Harewood is out injured while Laursen and Davies are not picked
In the 1st minute van der Vaart goes close but his shot is just over the crossbar. In the 9th minute Carson pulls of a superb save following an Aliadiere shot. In the 16th minute Agbonlahor beat two defenders and with only the keeper to beat he calmly scored with a low shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance, 1-0 to Aston Villa. In the 23rd minute Aliadiere once again went close for Boro but he lost his composure when one on one with Carson and his shot was never going to threaten the keeper. In the 34th minute Tuncay really should have scored from 6 yards out but Carson denied him with yet another good save. In the 43rd minute Reo-Coker goes close to scoring but his shot hits the post and is cleared eventually by the Boro defence
1-0 to Aston Villa at half-time
In the 53rd minute van der Vaart forces a good save out of Schwarzer with a long shot. In the 60th minute a Downing free-kick is saved superbly by Carson. In the 66th minute Maloney replaces Moore and Bouma replaces Guilherme. In the 71st minute Tuncay goes close with a shot from outside the box but Carson saves it. In the 73rd minute Carew replaces Agbonlahor. In the 83rd minute Young played a low cross into the box and it reached Maloney at the back post and he slotted the ball home, thanks to the substitute its 2-0 to Villa. The remainder of the game was played in the Boro half but Villa couldn’t get a third goal
2-0 to Aston Villa at full-time
Yellow Cards: Guilherme, Mellberg, Barry and van der Vaart
Red Cards: None
Goals: Agbonlahor and Maloney
Match Information:
Gareth Barry made his 300th appearance for Villa.
Bouma made his 50th league appearance for Villa
October 28th:
Aston Villa vs Newcastle (League Game #11)
Changes: None
Michael Owen goes close in the 12th minute but Carson is able to deny him a goal. In the 18th minute Moore is replaced by Carew as he is injured. In the 22nd minute N'Zogbia goes close but his shot is just over the crossbar. In the 28th minute a good counter attacking move saw Carew played through by van der Vaart and the big striker found the net with a low shot but his goal was correctly disallowed due to him being in an offside position when the ball was passed to him.Milner goes close in the 30th minute but Carson denies him with an acrobatic save. In the 43rd minute Carew was one on one with the keeper and he should have done better with the shot that he sent well wide
0-0 at half-time
In the 49th minute Emre shoots from well outside the box and Carson saves the shot acrobatically. In the 57th minute Young crossed the ball into the box and it was met by the head of Carew but Given held the ball well. In the 59th minute Maloney came on for Agbonlahor. In the 65th minute van der Vaart ran from in the villa half and his superb pass found Carew who's shot was agonisingly just wide. in the 75th minute Michael Owen was one on one with the keeper but Carson saved the ball to deny Newcastle a goal. In the 77th minute Petrov replaced van der Vaart. In the 89th minute Carson denied Emre from scoring the winning goal when he saved his shot from inside the box.
0-0 at full time
Yellow Cards: Reo-Coker and van der Vaart
Red Cards: None
Goals: None
Attendance: 42,547
van der Vaart is suspended for one match after collecting 5 yellow cards, the ban commences on November 11th
Luke Moore sustained a gash leg against Newcastle and will be out for between 2-3 weeks.
October Notes:
During the month Gareth Barry made his 300 league app for the club
The club recorded a profit of 141K during October
Shaun Maloney’s goal against Bolton wins goal of the month
Brian Houlihan’s opinion on October:
The loss against Bolton will be hard to forget, no doubt the decision to start Sorensen played a role in the defeat. The win against Boro was expected but a draw against league leaders Newcastle was a good result.
Shaun Maloney has found goal scoring form since returning from injury and his ability to come off the bench and score has impressed me
FM 2008 - The rise of Aston Villa 
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